steven blank. the strategic studies institute expert on soviet bloc and post- soviet world since 1989. he is the editor of the imperial decline, russia's changing position in asia and the co-editor of soviet military and the future. the last speaker, my colleague that heritage is the senior research fellow for russia and eurasian studies. they have often been called to testify on economics and law. they have numerous media outlets both domestically and across the globe. we will start with jim phillips. >> i would like to set the stage for the next three speakers that will focus primarily on russian policy by outlining u.s. policy and how it is factored into the blood packs that we see in syria today with more than 30,000 dead and no end in sight. i think it is fair to say the obama administration was behind the curve of the following the events in syria. i'd say this was because of ideological baggage. it led the wishful thinking about these opposing benefits of engaging in the regime. i think it w